Should I Pay My Traffic Ticket in Louisiana?

What happens if you just pay a traffic ticket in Louisiana?

Paying a ticket closes the case, and it gives up your chance to contest it. Before you pay, ask the court whether the payment will be treated as a conviction on your record. In Louisiana, traffic convictions are reported to the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) and show up on your driving record, which insurance companies review.

For one ticket on a clean record, paying may seem harmless. But tickets add up, and some violations, like reckless operation or driving under suspension, are criminal charges that should not be paid without advice.

Does Louisiana use a point system for driver's licenses?

No. Unlike many states, Louisiana does not use a driver's license point system. That does not mean tickets are harmless. Convictions are still reported to OMV and appear on your driving record. Insurers can use that record when setting your rates, and employers who hire drivers often check it.

So the real question is not "how many points will I get?" It is "what will this conviction do to my record, my insurance and my job?"

A long record of tickets can also matter if you are charged with something more serious later. Prosecutors and judges can see your driving history, and a pattern of violations can affect how they view a new case.

What are the fines for common traffic tickets in Louisiana?

Many traffic statutes set their own fines, and courts add their own costs. When a statute does not set a specific penalty, Louisiana's general traffic penalty applies: up to $175 and/or 30 days in jail for a first violation, and up to $500 and/or 90 days for later violations.

Some common charges are treated differently:

• Careless operation is a traffic violation punished under the general penalties.
• Reckless operation is a crime under Title 14: up to $200 and/or 90 days for a first offense, and $25 to $500 and/or 10 days to 6 months for later offenses.
• Driving without insurance can carry a $500 to $1,000 fine, plus loss of registration and driving privileges, impoundment and canceled plates. OMV reinstatement fees range from $125 to $525 depending on how long you were uninsured.

What if you miss your traffic court date?

Missing court is often worse than the ticket. If you fail to appear or pay, the court notifies the Department of Public Safety, which sends notice that your license may be suspended. Once the matter is resolved, you owe a $100 fee to OMV to clear the pending suspension. A missed date can also lead to a bench warrant for your arrest.

If you already missed a date, deal with it now. Our page on arrest warrants explains how a lawyer can help you address a warrant before you are picked up.

What if your license is already suspended?

Driving under suspension is a criminal charge, not a regular ticket. A first offense can mean up to $500 and up to 6 months for a regular license, and up to $5,000 for a commercial license. If the suspension was DWI-related, later offenses carry at least 7 days in jail served without benefit. A conviction also extends your existing suspension by 1 year.

Do not simply pay a ticket for driving under suspension. Talk to a lawyer first. Often the better path is to fix the underlying suspension, such as paying a reinstatement fee or resolving an old ticket, and then show the court that you are now properly licensed.

Is a traffic ticket a criminal charge in Louisiana?

Most ordinary tickets, like speeding or running a stop sign, are traffic violations, but the general penalty statute still allows jail time: up to 30 days for a first violation and up to 90 days for later violations. In practice, most simple tickets end with a fine and court costs.

Some driving charges are crimes in every sense. Reckless operation is a Title 14 crime. Driving under suspension can bring months in jail, and DWI is handled on an entirely different track with its own penalties. Our Louisiana DWI penalties guide covers that charge.

Remember that a criminal driving conviction is a criminal record, not just a driving record. It can show up on background checks for jobs and housing until it is expunged, where expungement is allowed.

If your ticket includes more than one charge, read each one. A routine speeding ticket can come with a no-insurance or suspended-license charge attached, and those carry heavier consequences than the speeding charge itself.

Why are tickets riskier for CDL holders?

Commercial drivers face federal rules on top of state law. "Serious traffic violations," such as speeding 15 mph or more over the limit, reckless driving, improper lane changes, following too closely, and texting or using a handheld phone in a commercial vehicle, lead to:

• a 60-day disqualification for 2 serious violations within 3 years;
• a 120-day disqualification for 3 serious violations within 3 years.

Violations in your personal car can count if they lead to a license suspension or revocation. Federal anti-masking rules also bar states from deferring or diverting a CDL holder's traffic conviction to keep it off the record. So options that help other drivers may not help a CDL holder. If you drive for a living, get advice before you pay anything.

Can a lawyer help with a traffic ticket?

Often, yes. A lawyer can review the ticket for errors, talk with the prosecutor and look at options other than a straight conviction. Some courts and prosecutors offer diversion programs for eligible drivers, which can keep a conviction off the record (though, as noted above, not for CDL holders). A lawyer may also be able to handle some court appearances for you, which can save you time off work.

Even when a ticket cannot be dismissed, the way it is resolved can matter. Amending a charge to a less serious violation, or resolving it through a diversion program where you qualify, can help protect your insurance rates and your job.

Which court your ticket is in depends on where you were stopped and who wrote it. In our area, that can include the New Orleans Municipal and Traffic Court (727 S. Broad St.), Jefferson Parish's First Parish Court in Metairie or Second Parish Court in Gretna, or a mayor's court such as the Kenner Mayor's Court (415 Williams Blvd.). See our traffic ticket defense page, or our pages for New Orleans, Metairie and Kenner.

When should you call a lawyer instead of paying?

Talk to a lawyer before paying if any of these are true:

• You hold a commercial driver's license.
• You already have tickets or suspensions on your record.
• The ticket is for reckless operation, driving under suspension, no insurance or a crash.
• You missed a court date or think you have a warrant.
• Your job depends on your driving record.

The Barry S. Ranshi Law Firm handles traffic matters along with criminal defense across Greater New Orleans. Call (504) 905-8399 for a free, confidential consultation. We answer 24/7, and a short call to (504) 905-8399 can tell you whether paying makes sense.